As defilement cases continue to increase in the country, Rumphi distrct First Grade Magistrate Court has sentenced a 33-years-old man to nine years Imprisonment with hard labour for defilement.

The convict Charles Chavula was arrested on 14th of April, 2016 following the report that he had defiled a four year old girl contrary to Section 138 of Penal Code.

In court, Chavula pleaded guilty. In
mitigation, he pleaded for a lenient sentence considering that he looks after three children but the State through Prosecutor
Sergeant Maganga of Rumphi Police Station quashed Chavula’s request citing that Defilement Cases are on the increase in the
district and that Chavula needed a stiff sentence to teach him a lesson.

Before passing sentence, His Worship Cuthbert Phiri conquered with Maganga and said that young girls need to be protected
from people like Chavula.

Phiri threw out Chavula’s plea for a lenient sentence citing that, he would have thought of his family and responsibility before committing the offence.